Means and method of filleting fish



Feb.28, 193-9. w. H. HUNT 2,149,021

11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 28, 1939, w. H. HUNT MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING FISH v 11 Sheets-sheaf 2 Fild Nov. 26; 1934' A TTORNEY Feb. 28, 193-9.

w. H HUNT MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING FISH Filed Nov. 1 26, 1934 1 1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zinnentor l V/u. IAM Hwvr attorney- Feb. 28,-1939.- w. H. HUNT I MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING FISH Filed NOV. 26, 1934 ll SheetS- -Sheet 4 QN R m M v m w M n v M N m w. M .n W N \%\\/O 0 v S@SSGSJ J3 SO nig hm 0 \N an mm \m. w L w M W\ N I NM 8w an w w m ,mw \wN W MQw& m I v \N o .4. IV 45 m mN No X/ 1 \\mm%\ attorney Feb. 28, 193-9. w-. H. HUNT MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING fISI-I Filed. Nov. 26, 1954 11 Sheets- Sheet e Feb. 28, 1939. w-. H HUN T v MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING FISH 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed'Nov. 26; 1954 I I llllulul llllll.

' Jnnentor l V/LL/AM f1 f/wvr Qttorneg Feb. 28,1939. H NT v 2,149,021

MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING FISH Filed Nov. 26, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet a Zinneritor WILL/AM l1 HUNT attorney Feb. 28, 1939. w. H. HUNT MEANS A ND METHOD OF FILLETING FI SH Filed Nov. 26, 1934 11 stems-sheet 9 w. H. HUNT mmngmn METHOD 6F FILLETING FISH Feb. 28, 193-9.

Filed Nov. 26, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 1o Feb. 28, 1939.-

" r MEANS AND METHOD-OF FILLETING FISH Filed Nov. 26', I954 11 Sheets-Shea; 11

Znnentor W/LL/A/v h. ffu/vr lllllllllllflllA Patented Feb. 28, 1939 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGEI MEANS AND METHOD OF FILLETING FISH William H. Hunt, National City, Calif.,'assignor to Fish Machinery Corporation, San Diego, Calif., a corporation of California Application November 26, 1934, Serial No. 754.727

' 65 Claims. (01. 17- 3) My invention relates to meansand' method of ging, which is particularly durable and dependfilleting fish, and the.objects of my'invention are: able in its operation.

First, to provide a means and method or this With these and other objects in view as will nature which effects a particularly complete reappear hereinafter, my invention consists of'cercovery of boneless meat from the fish; \tain novel features of construction, combination 5 Second, to provide a means and method of this and arrangement of parts and portions as will be nature in which the danger of bones being preshereinafter described in detail and particularly ent in the'fillets is reduced toa minimum; set forth in the appended claims, reference being Third, to provide a. method of filleting fish had to the accompanying drawings and to the wherein th fish is engaged and guided from the characters of reference thereon which form a 10 back bone thereon and the back bone is straightp t O s app fi, in Whichi ened should it have become warped or crooked; F ure 1 is a sid elevational v w of m fis Fourth, to provide a means of filleting fish filletin means; F s. 2 to 12, inclusiv are (118-7 which is capable of handling both straight a d grammatical views illustrating the functions of crooked fish without change in \adjustment as e various Parts f my meansanimy method 15 well as fish or varying size within the range of 0f fil fis wher in: Fig. 2 illustrates the the machine; manner in which the back fins are spread and Fifth, to provide a means of filleting fish which ded in order to p s between the back slicin incorporates means for, scraping th fins loose knives; Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which from any adhesions to the sides of the fish and the guiding and rotary c ng knives make 20 .guiding said fins whereby they may pass betw en longitudinal incisions along the back of the fish; knives separated only appreciably wider than the 4 indifltes the 'disposition o the fish on thickness of such fins, thereby reducing to a the back guiding e t; F g- 5 illustrates minimum the quantity of meat that may remain thema'nner in which the belly fins are raised and adhering to the bones of the fish; straightened: Fig. 6 illustrates the operation of 5' Sixth, to provide a means of fllleting fish which I the Belly Slicing knives d t gu d ng an is continuous and rapid in its operation and capafeeding Wheels therebelow;

illustrates by ble of coacting with any device arranged to (1 means of a; transverse sectional view-of the fish liver fish one ,at a time belly upward and tail on the line of 8 the manner in which first; the fillets are completely severed from the back 30 Seventh, to provide means of fmetmg fish bone after the back and belly incisions are made; whereby parallel inclsiohs a made 810mg the Fig. 8 illustrates the position assumed by the fish smes of the back bone of the fish thereafter as it rides on the ribbing knives; Fig. 9 is a transsimilar incisions are made along the belly of, the verse enlarged detail View of the back bone and the fish shown in Fig. 8; F18. 101s a fragmentary longitudinal sectional viewthereof; Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view as they appear during the beginning of the ribbing operation, and Fig. 12

, illustrates the relation of the parts upon comple,

tion of the ribbing operation; Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the receiving Eighth; to provide ameans of filleting fish wherein the incisions along the back and belly of the fish are made contiguous to the back bone 40 thereof and vary with the. varying diameter of the back bone;

5 fish, thereupon the meat is scraped from the ribs ribs of the fish as they appear when curved as 5 Ninth, to provide a means and method of fillet-- of my means of fiuetmg fish taken substam a ing fish which reduces to a minimum the manual any alongthe lineof Fig 1; Fig. 14

handling of the fish in the Prbcess of m a fragmentary bottom view of the fish retainin 46 40 0! Otherwise Preparing t e fish for the market; and guide means taken substantially along th Tenth,'to r vi e ea s and method! this line 14-14 of Fig. 15; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary 01885 which Incorporates in a Single continuously longitudinal sectional view taken through l5- -l5 operating machine all the functions formerly b; Hg 13 t parts and portions in elevation; performed by a plurality Special machines; Fig. 16 is another longitudinal sectional view El o provide a machine of this class thereof through 16-46 f Flg.'13 with parts and which is particularly safe in its operation the portions shown in elevation: Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged working parts being readily enclosed; and fragmentary perspective view of the back rib Twelfth, to provide a means of this class which straightening element; Fig. 18 is an enlarged is capable of continuous operation without clogfragmentary" sectional view taken substantially as through I8-I8 of Fig. 15; Fig. 19 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through Ill-I9 of Fig. 15 illustrating the weight or tension wheels and fish guide; Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional view through 20-26 of Fig. 15 with parts and portions in elevation; Fig. 21 is a plan view of a slide bar and the rollers and fish clutching jaw; Fig. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the intermediate portion of my means taken substantially along the line 22-22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof taken through 23-23 of Fig. 22 with parts and portions in elevation; Fig. 24 Ba fragmentary sectional view through 24-24 of Fig. 23; Fig. 25 is a transverse sectional view through 25-25 of Fig. 22; Fig. 26 is another transverse sectional view through 26-26 of Fig.

22 Fig. 27 is a bottom view of the belly fin scraping and guiding arrangement taken substantially along the line 21-21 of Fig. 23; Fig. 28 is a transverse sectional view of the belly fin scraping arrangement taken through 26-28 of Fig. 23;- Fig. 29 is a bottom view of the discharging end. portion of my means taken substantially along" the line 29-29 of Fig. 1; Fig. 30 is a plan view thereof taken substantially along the line 30-30 of Fig. 1; Fig. 31 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof taken substantially along the line 3I-3I of Fig. 30 with parts and portions in elevation; Fig. 32 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the rear or discharging end of my means; Fig. 33 is a. transverse sectional view taken substantially through 33-33 of Fig. 31 with parts and portions in elevation; Fig. 34 is another transverse sectional view taken substantially through 34-34 of Fig. 31; Fig. 35 is another transverse sectional view through 35-35 of Fig. 31; Fig. 36 is another transverse sectional view through 36-36 of Fig. 31; Fig. 3'7 is another transverse sectional view through 31-31 of Fig. 31; and Fig. 38 is another transverse sectional view through 38-38 of Fig. 31.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

Side frames I, sprocket shafts 2 and 3, forward sprockets 4 and 5, idler sprocket spindles 6, idler sprockets 1 chains 8, traveler members 9, slide bars I6, rollers II and I2, fish clutching plates I3, tracks I 4, cam tracks I5 and I6, guide strips I1. brackets I8, traveler guides I9, trough 20, gates 2|, springs 22, levers 23, catch arm 24,

springs 25, back fin straightener frame 26, fin

spreading elements 21, shafts 28, back slicing knives 29, knife guard 20, journal pins 3|, spring 32, fin guiding plates 33, retainer guard 34, framework 35, tension wheels 36, brackets 31, slide rails 33, slide bars 39, guide plates 46, guide plate shifting cam 4|, link and lever means 42 and 42', lever 43, link 44,catch arm 45, guide disks 46, belly slicing knives 41, shaft 48, bearing 48, stop 56, spring 6|, fixed guide plates 62, brackets 53, arms 54, belly fin straightening frame stop means 56, belly fin spreading elements 61, guide ears 58, casings 63 and 66, severing and ribbing blades 6|, shields .62, clipping'blades 63, fixed guards 64, casing 65, shafts 66, sprocket wheels 61, chains 63, supporting plates 69, levers-10, and cams 1| and 12 constitute the principal parts and portions of my novel means and method of filleting fish.

Side frames I are provided which support sprocket shafts 2 and 3 at their forward or receiving ends and at their rear or, discharge ends. Sets of forward and rearward sprockets 4 and 5 are mounted on the shafts 2 and 3; respectively.

Idler sprocket spindles 6 extend inwardly from the side walls of the side frames I intermediate the sprocket shafts 2 and 3. v.The spindle 6 receives idler sprockets 1. The sets of sprockets are arranged in pairs adjacent the two side frames and receive chains 8. The idler sprockets are mounted somewhat above the sprockets 4 and 5 so that the upper levels of the chains traverse relatively angular planes.

Each pair of chains supports a plurality of traveler members 9. The traveler members carried by the two sets of chains are arranged in transversely disposed pairs. Each traveler member comprises bracket portions 9 which attach to the corresponding pair of set of chains, a body portion 9* having a tranversely extending bore of rectangular section therethrough. The outer and forward side of each traveler member is beveled or rounded, as indicated by 9. Each traveler member 9 slidably receives in its bore a.

. slide bar I 6. At the laterally outward end each slide bar I0 supports a pair of rollers I I and I2. The laterally inward end of each slide bar receives a fish clutching plate I3. Each clutching plate I3 is provided with clutching spikes I3. The rear end of each plate I3 is turned out- I wardly, as indicated by I3.

The lower sides of the frames I are provided with ledges I which extend underneath the sets of chains and are provided with tracks I4. The laterally outward sides of the tracks I4 are adapted to be engaged by the rollers I2 to hold the clutching plates I3 in spaced relation with each other, as shown best in Fig. 20. The tracks I4 join at the forward end of the machine to upwardly and rearwardly curved cam tracks I5 which are provided at their extended or upper and forward ends with cam portions I5 to permit inward movement of the slide bars ID. A similar cam track I6 is provided at the.rearward end of each track I4, said tracks I6 curving upwardly and forwardly and having at their forward or receiving extremities cam portions I6.

Between the extremities of the cam tracks I5 and I6 and laterally outward therefrom and supported by the side frames I there are provided guide strips I1. The guide strips I1 are engaged by the rollers II and are arranged to hold the clutching plates I3 in engaging relation, as shown in the upper portion of Fig.20. The forward or receiving ends 'of the guide strips I1 are provided with cam portions I1 coacting with the cam portions I5. With this arrangement the slide bars are caused to occupy a laterally inward position while traversing the upper level of the chains and to occupy a laterally outward position while traversing the lower level thereof.

Thereis supported from each side frame by means of brackets I8 2. pair of traveler guides I9 which are coextensive with the guide strips I1; The traveler guides I9 fit in slots formed by the bracket portions 9 of the traveler members, as shown best in-Fig. 20. guides I9 and guide strips I1 are curved to form slight arching of the chains over the idler sprockets 1.

A suitable feeding trough or other feeding device 2Il, as shown fragmentarily in Figs. 13 and 15, is mounted with an end extending into the forward or receiving end of the machine between The traveler the cam tracks I5. The rearward or discharge end of the trough 20 is bordered by a pair of gate members 2| pivoted at their forward ends, as indicated by 2|, and converging towards their rearward ends. The gates 2| are controlled by iii springs 22 which tend to spread their normally converging or rearward ends. The extremity of each cam track I5 supports a bracket upon which is joumalled a lever 23. The levers 23 are disposed over the forward ends of the traveler guides l9 and each includes a leg 23 which normally extends forwardly and downwardly towards said guide I9 so as to be engaged by the traveler members 9 as theyenter the upper level of the chain. Each lever 23 includes an arm 23 which extends upwardly and is adapted to engage a catch arm 24 hinged to a correspondlnggate 2| near its discharge or rear end. Each catch arm 24 is provided with a spring 25 which holds the extended end of the catch arm in engagement with the corresponding bracket Li so that the discharge ends of the gates are retained against outward movement. The catch arms 24 upon being engaged .by the arm 23 as the traveler members enter the upper level of the chains release the gates 2|. When the gates are held by the catch anns 24 the tail portion only of a fish protrudes from the discharging ends of the gates. As the traveler members come-on to the upper level of the chains the cam portions ll" force the fish clutching plates 13 into engagement with the protruding tail portion of the fish and at the same time operate the levers 23 to release the catch arms, allowing the gates 2| to open and the fish to be drawn into the machine by the clutching plates. Suitable means, not shown, are provided for resetting the gates upon being tripped to their open position.

A back fin straightener frame 26 is journalled at its forward end and at the discharge end of the trough 20 by means of extensions I3 from a rearward bracket 16. Said frame 26 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 26' therein which merges into a crosswise or'upwardly converging guide wall 26. The forward or receiving end of the frame 26 has a shelf 26 closin the slot 26". Between the shelf 26 a'nda point near the forward end of the frame 26.there is arranged a plurality of laterally inwardly and forwardly directed fin deflecting bosses "26. Each boss 26 has a downwardly and forwardly directed and converging undercut or lip portion 26 which begins at a point well up on the guide walls 26 of the frame so as to engage fins which may have been curled against the back of the fish and deflect them into centered relation with the fish, that is, into the slot 26. The forward end of each boss 26 carries a straightener clip element 21, said elements being arranged in pairs and in the form of leaf springs with laterally shafts 28 terminate in contiguous relation with each other and each supports a back slicing knife 29 which is in the form of a circular fiat disk.

It is preferred to mount the shafts 28 in slight knives are slightly closer at. a point forwardly and upwardly from their axes. The shafts 28 may be driven by independent motors but in such a manner that the back slicing knives rotate in synchronism.

A knife guard 30 is journalled by its bearing portion 30' on each idler sprocket spindle 6.- Each knife guard 30 includes an arcuate shoulder 30' which overhangs the periphery of the corresponding back slicing knife, and a laterally outwardly beveled portion 30 merging into the shoulder 30, as shown best in Fig. 18. The knife guards 33 extend upwardly and forwardly with respect to the knives 29. Each knife guard 30 receives a journal pin 3! which fits in a slot in the rearward or extended end of the straightener frame 26, as shown best in Fig. 18. With this arrangement the rearward or extended end of the frame 26 is capable of shifting downwardly and causing the knife guards to be lowered therewith. A spring 32 holds the frame 26 and knife guards 30 in a predetermined upper position, as shown in Fig. 15. The rearward ex,- tremity -of. the straightener frame 26 carries a pair of fin guiding plates 33. Said plates are formed of thin sheet metal and fit between the knife guards 3.0 so that the' back fins are directed between the .back slicing knives 29.

The extremities of the cam tracks 16 are provided' with other brackets l5 which journal the forwardly diverging arms 34' of a retainer guard 34. Said guard is in-the form of a pair of parallel disposed arms 34 extending downwardly then curving in arearward direction and practically horizontally. The arms are relatively wide and fiat except for their lower margins which are turned outwardly laterally to form deflecting portions 34, as shown best in Figs. 14, 15 and 19.

Also hinged from the brackets 15 is a framework 351including rearwardly directed arms 36' connected by a bridge portion 35 at the rearward ends from which depends a bearing bracket 3! disposed'in centered relation above th rearward extremity of the frame 26. Said aring bracket 35 journals on opposite sides a pair of idler or tension wheels 36 having serrated peripheries. -.The tension wheels 36 and retainer guard 34 act.to hold the fish against the back slicing knives 29 and cause the frame 26 to tilt downwardly as the section of the fish increasesin height. The framework 35 includes cam portions 35 which normally rest upon the traveler guides l9 and are engaged by the traveler members as they pass thereunder, thus delaying the action of the tension wheels until the more substantial parts of the fish are thereunder.

Between the back slicing knives 29 and the rearward sprockets 5 the side frames l support sets of brackets 31 which extend between the upper and lower levels of the chains and in turn support a pair of slide rails 36. The slide rails are arranged adjacent each other and each receives a slide bar 33 which in turn supports a guide plate 40. The guide plates 43 are elongated and disposed in close proximity to each other so as to fit adjacent but on the outer sides of the slicing knives 23. The forward extremities of the guide plates are pointed and their under sides are curved to form piercing knife portions 40*. The pointed ends of the piercing knife portions'have rudimentary outturned extremities. The guide plates 40 are adapted to shift longitudinally with respect to the frame i and are so arranged that when in their forward position the piercing knife portions 40 extend forwardly of the back slicing knives 29 in such a manner as to engage the back bone of the fish and ride therealong, whereby the back extensions of the vertebrae are guided accurately between the slicing knives 29. The guide plates 40 and piercing knives 4|] are moved backwardly and forwardly by action of thetraveler members 9 in such a manner that the tail of the fish is first initially sliced by the knives 29, whereupon the piercing knives are forced forwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 23. The above movement is accomplished by means of a cam 4| engaged by a traveler member 8 so as to actuate a link 42 connected to arm 42- secured to shaft 42 A pair of arms 42 on shaft 42 are connected by links 42 to the guide plates, and the cam M is positioned so as to be engaged by a traveler member 9 immediately after the traveler member, and consequently the tail portion of the fish, have passed the slicing knives 29; so that immediately thereafter the guide plates are moved forwardly. The guide plates are returned to the solid line position shown in Fig. 23 by means of a lever 43 engaged by the under sides of the traveler members as they pass around the cam track I 6. The lever 43 is connected by a link 44 to the arms 44 on shaft 42 in such a manner that the rear movement of the traveler members 9 during engagement with the lever 43 causes a corresponding rearward movement of the guide plates 40. The 1ever 43 is provided with a catch portion 43" which is engageable with a catch arm 45 positioned so as to be engaged by a traveler member 9 immediately before the lever 43 is engaged so as to release said lever from the catch arm prior to accomplishing a rearward shifting of the guide plates. Thus the guide plates are held in their forward or dotted line position shown in Fig. 23 until the lever 43 is released from the catch arm 45 and shifted with themovement of the traveler members 9.

Su orted in any suitable rigid relation with the frames I and in such a manner that the traveler members 9 pass on opposite sides thereof is a pair of guide disks 46. Said disks are provided with relatively thin but unsharpened edges and are arranged in adjacent parallel spaced relation with each other. Said disks are mounted on a common shaft 45*.

A pair of belly slicing knives 41 of circular form are mounted on a single shaft 48 above the guide disks 45 and in vertical alinement therewith. The shaft 48 is encased in a suitable bearing 49 and is capable of vertical movement. Such vertical movement is limited by a stop means 50 so that the peripheries of the belly slic ing knives 41 are prevented from contacting the edges of the guide disks 46, as shown best in Fig. 33. The stop 50 incorporates a spring which engages the under side of the bearing 49 to compensate for the weight of the knives 41 and mechanism supported therewith. The shafts 48 and 45 are driven at identical speed or at such relative speeds that the peripheries of the belly slicing knives 41 and guide disks 46 are equal, by any suitable means not shown.

The guide plates 40 are adapted when in their rearward positions to conform to and be in proximity with the upper portions of the guide disks 4., as shown by solid lines in Figs. 23 and in the sectional view Fig. 24. To aid in transferring the back fins and back spikes of the fish into or between the guide disks 45, fixed guide plates 52 of thin sheet metal fit snugly against the outer sides of the guide disks 46 and the outer sides of the guide plates 40. Continguous to the guide disks 46 the fixed guide plates 52 are provided with rudimentary arcuate shoulders 52', .as shown in Fig. 24.

The side frames l or guide strips ll support a pair of brackets 53 which carry a pair of rearwardly converging arms 54 terminating near the belly slicing knives 41. At their extermities the arms 54 journal the rear end portionof a belly fin straightening frame 55. The straightening frame 55 is provided with a flared forward or extended end portion 55 which is held at the desired height by a stop means 55. Between the flared end 55 and the rearward or supported and of the straightening frame 55 said frame is provided with a thin receiving slot 55 and its lower margin is provided with laterally outwardly converging guide wall 55. Arranged along the slotted portion 55 is a series of belly fin scraping or deflecting bosses 55 having undercut and relatively sharp forward and under edges similar to the construction of the deflecting bosses 26 of the back fin straightener frame. And also simi lar to the frame 26, the bosses 55 are provided at their extermities with fin spreading elements 51. At the rearward or discharge end of the frame 55 there is supported from opposite sides of the slot 55 a pair of guide ears 58 which are formed of thin sheet metal and extend be tween the belly slicing knives 41.

In addition to the guide ears 58, fixed guide plates 52, and shiftable guide plates 40, fish final positioning means may be utilized to enable the bones of the fish to pass between the belly slicing knives and guide disks, such a fish final positioning means being illustrated in my Patent No. 1,981,552, dated November 20, 1934.

The belly slicing knives 41 are mounted in a suitable casing 59, while the guide disks may be mounted ina suitable casing;' 50. In each case the operating portions of the knives or guide disks are uncovered.

Arranged with their forward extremities fitting over. the upper rearward portions of the guide disks is a pair of severing and ribbing blades 6| which are arranged in adjacent parallel disposed relation with each other to define a slit between which fits the back bone of the fish, The forward portion of the blades form severing knife portions lii' and are merely flat with sharpened upper edges. These knife portions sever flesh from the sides of the back bone and connect the back and belly incision or slices so that the fillet is free from the bones of the fish except for its connection to the ribs thereof. Rearwardly of the severing portions 6 l the blades 6i form rib scraping knife portions Gi which are in the form of sharpened edges arranged along the upper edges of the blades 6|. Along this portion of the blades 6| their upper margins diverge upwardly, as indicated by 6i. Further rearwardly the blades turn horizontally outwardly, forming shelfiike portions 61 which are likewise sharpened along their edges. Spaced outwardly and beginning at their forward ends somewhat above the shelfiike portions 6| 4 of the blades 6| is a pair of retainer shields 62 which hold the fillets down, and thereby retain the extremities of the ribs in proper relation with the edges of the blades. At the rearward extremity of the blades 6| is a pair of clipping blades 63 which are circular in form and revoluble. Below said blades 63 are mounted fixed guards 44. The clipping blades 53 and their guards 64 act to sever any remaining connection that may exist between the fillets and the central or bony part of the fish, as indicated in Fig. 12, i

Supported above the blades 6| is a casing 65. A pair of shafts 66 are supported by the forward and rear ends, respectively, of the casing. Each of said shafts carries a pair of sprocket wheels 61. Chain 68 pass around the sprocket wheels. Secured at intervals to the chains 68 is a series of supporting plates 69. Said supporting plates are guided as they pass along the lower wheels there is mounted a cam 'II which is shaped to engage the arm 10 of the lever 10, forcing saidarms radially outwardly so that the arms 10' are held in a radially retracted position and to cause said arms to descend to the lower level of the chains while occupying the desired relation with the blades 6|. A similar cam 12 is arranged between the rear set of sprockets and draws the extended arms 10 to a retracted position as they pass along the upper level of the chains.

The levers 10 are arranged in stag i red relation with each other and are offset laterally so that they pass down on either side of the spikes extending towards the belly of the fish from its back bone. 'As will be brought out hereinafter. the levers l0 bear particularly against the inside of the belly of the fish adjacent its backbone.

Operat on of my means of filleting fish is as follows: The fish are fed through the gates 2|, one at a time tail first and belly side up. 'The fish clutching plates engage the protruding tail of thefish just forwardly of the tail fins and pull the fish from the trough 20 along and over the back fin straightener frame 26,-whereuponthe fin spreading .elments 21 draw the back fins downwardly and spread them so that they will pass readily between the back slicing knives 29.

The back slicing knives 29 make a prelimnary incision through'the skin of the fish. Further movement on to the knives 29 actuates the guide plates 40 so that said plates move forward and piercing, knives 40 enter through the slits formed by the knives 29 and pierce the fish until the piercing knives are in engagement with the back bone. Whereupon said piercing knives tend to follow along the back bone while the continued movement of the fish causes the slicng' knives to cut the sk n of, the fish and to complete the piercing action of the knives 40a. This action is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3. As the diameter of the fish increases the straightener frame 26 tends to lower. The angular relation between the upper edges of the gude plates 49 and the straightener frame 26 is such that the axis of the back bone of the fish is approximately parallel with the upper edge of the gu de plates so that piercing knives readily follow therealong.

.Upon leaving the knives 29 the back of the fish is completely sliced the entire length and to the back bone. The fish thus arrives so sliced upon the gude plates 40, the bony portions of the back of the fish between the guide plates and the fillets being disposed along the outer sides there-' 1 of, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4. It

should be noted that by reason of the fact that the piercing knives lll engage the back bone of the fish, should the fish be warped or should the flesh have been pressed to one side or the other of the fish and therefore render the fish unsymmetrical with respect to the back bone, said piercing knivestend t6 re-aline the back bone so that the bony parts are caused to pass between the back slicing knives; and further that these knives may be set with a minimum distance therebetween so that the recovery is as large as possible.

As the fish passes along the guide plates 40, still being pulled by the fish clutching plates IS,

.the belly of the fish and the fins thereon have been through the belly fin straightening frame and the fins are spread and stra ghtened, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5. Thebelly slicing knives 41 and the guide disks 6 rotate at quite a rapid speed, considerably more rapid than the movement of the traveler members along the guide plates: therefore, the traveler members disengage the fish Just before said fish enters the blades. If the fish is insufilciently caught by the blades to be drawn on through, the laterally lpread ends I! of the succeeding fish clutching plates I3 push upon the forward or head portion of the fish until'the belly slicing knives 41 can draw the fish therethrough, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6. The act of moving the fish into the sphere of action of the belly slicing knives 41 and guide discs 46 is accomplished by the return movement of the guide plates 40. As shown in full line position in Figure 23, these guide plates have their rear ends positioned close to the belly cutting knives 41. In returning to this position they feed the tail of the fish between the knives 41 and discs 46 aided by the guide plates 52. The clutching plates is which engage the fish so that its tail projects rearwardly thereof release the fish so that as the plates 40 move rearwardly they continue the movement of the fish towards and into the sphere of action of the belly slicing knives 41 and the guide discs 46. At the time the clutching plates I3 release the fish its tail prothe belly slicing knives the fillet remains attached to the back bone of the fish along its lateral sides, there being only a small shred of meat adhering. The fillets are further attached by the ribs of the fish; however, rearwardly of the belly of the fish connection with the back bone is represented diagrammatically in Fig. '7. The two shreds of meat adhering to the back bone are, quickly severed by the severing portions lil of the blades 6| so that the fillets are attached only at the-ribs of the fish. The back bone being freed of the support supplied by the meat, when it is removed therefrom from the tail portion, tends to arc downwardly as it passes along the blades 8|; as shown diagrammatically in Figure 8. Advantage is taken of this fact to insure scraping contact between the ribs at the belly cavity and the scraping knives 6|. As is well known, the ribs at the belly cavity at the tail end approach a more perpendicillar relationship with respect to the back bone than do the ribs towards the'head end of the fish which tend arching of the freed portion of the back bone tends to swing the more perpendicular ribs to a more I horizontal position, bring all of the ribs substantially in alignment so that they all contact the edges of the knives 8| to insure a scraping engagement therewith. This is very important insuring a complete removal of the flesh from the ribs. This also insures that the cutting edges of the knives 6| will tend to follow along the outer faces of the ribs to the ends thereof.

The fish is shot from the belly slicing knives and guide disks with sufiicient force to move-into engagement with the levers 10, which levers by reason of the downward arching of the fish engage principally along the belly cavity thereof,

holding the fish down upon the blades 8|. It will be noted that the levers 10 enter deeper between the blades 6| as the diverging walls thereof increase in height, so that the upper edges of the diverging walls act to scrape along the ribs, as shown in Fig. 11. Most fish have a number of small floating ribs which are adjacent to and disconnected from the'main ribs. The floating ribs are arched to a certain extent, but inasmuch as the skeleton of the fish is held down upon the blades the increasing height of the blades scrapes along over the outer sides of their floating ribs. This action is further enhanced by the lateral or shelf portions Gl of the blades and the retainers 62. The width of the outwardly diverging portions 6i of the blades 6| together with the shelf portions iii is equal to or slightly greater than the corresponding length of the main ribs and floating ribs. 'By the time the blades 61 have ribbed the fish to the point shown in Fig. 12 the fillets are entirely separated from the fish. However, there may be a short length of skin still ad- A hering which is severed by the knives 63.

In brief my method of filleting fish consists in making a preliminary incision along the back bone of the fish, inserting the guiding knives which enter untilthey engage the back bone and thereupon follow along the back bone, whereby the flsh is guided further into the knives in predetermined relation to the back bone, and thereupon the back of the fish is slitted its entire length with the slit extending to the back bone.

- The fish is continued through the machine while uided by its back bone and the belly fins are straightened and arranged in axial alinement with the back fins. 'I'hereupon the belly side of the fish is sliced by parallel incisions and to the back bone while being retained against the belly slicing knives by rotating guide disks which fit in thepreviously made incisiions. Thereupon the fillets are cut inwardly from their back side until the flesh is completely severed from the back bone proper. Whereupon the skeleton of the fish tends to are, bending at the back end of the belly cavity, and whereupon ribbing knives by reason of the arching engage and scrape along each of the ribs in spite of their angular variation. Then the ribbing operation continues by a sliding movement along knives until said knives have passed to or beyond the extremities of the floating ribs of the fish as measured transversely with respect to the back bone thereof, and thereupon severing any further connection between the fillets and skeleton of the fish.

Two things shouid be noted in particular. The first is that by reason of the engagement with the back bone in the preliminary cutting of the fish the efiect of any variation in the surface of the fish due to being compressed or mashed out of shape in storage is entirely eliminated and as a result the cutting blades may be brought into extremely close relation with each other, allowing only the thickness or approximately the thickness of the bones of the fish therebetween. The second is the arrangement whereby a considerable portion of meat otherwise lost is removed from the fish at the rear portion of the belly cavity.-

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

1. A'method of filleting fish consisting in, making incisions in the back of a fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone on its top side through such incisions, and then slicing the fish longitudinally and substantially in the planes of said incisions while guiding the fish by engagement with its back bone on its top side.

2. A method of filleting fish consisting in, making incisions in a fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone through such incisions, then slicing the fish longitudinally substantially in the planes of said incisions both above and below the back bone, and then connecting the slices on each lateral side of the back bone to sever the fiesh therefrom.

3. A method of filleting fish consisting in, making incisions in a fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone through such incisions, then slicing the fish longitudinally substantially in the planes of said incisions both above and below the backbone, then connecting the slices on each lateralside of the backbone to sever the flesh therefrom, and then scraping the flesh from the outer sides of the ribs of the fish.

4. A method of filleting fish consisting in, mak ing incisions in a fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to the vertical axis and engaging the backbone through such incisions, then slicing the fish longitudinally substantially in the planes of said incisions both above and below the backbone, then connecting the slices on each lateral side of the backbone to sever the flesh therefrom, and then bending the fish vertically over the region where the ribs merge into the belly spikes of. the fish and scraping from the backbone towards the extremities of the ribs along the outer sides thereof.

5. A method of filleting fish consisting in. making a pair of incisions in the back of a fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone through such incisions, and then severing the fieshy sides of the fish from the backbone and spikes which extend therefrom by slicing substantially along the planes of said incisions.

6. A method of filleting fish consisting in, making incisions in a fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone through such incisions, then severing the fieshy sides of the fish from the backbone and spikes which extend therefrom by slicing substantially along the planes of said incisions, and 75 the outer sides of the ribs.

'1. A method of filleting fish consisting in, making parallel adjacent incisions in a fish from its tail forwardly along its backbone, directing the bony protuberances occurring along the vertical axis 01' the fish into aplane located between said incisions, and slicing said fish longitudinally in substantially the planes of said incisions while guiding the same by engagement with its backbone.

8. A method of filleting fish consisting in, making parallel adjacent incisions in a fish from its tail forwardly along its backbone, directing the bony protuberances occurring along the vertical axis of the fish into a'plane located between said incisions, then slicing the fish longitudinally substantially in the planes of said incisions both above and below the backbone, and then connecting the slices on'each lateral side oi!v the backbone to sever the fiesh therefrom;

9. A method of filleting fish consisting-in, making'parallel adjacent incisions in a fish from its tail forwardly along its backbone, directing-the bony protuberances occurring along the vertical .axis of the fish into a plane located between said incisions, then slicing the fish longitudinally substantially in the planes of said incisions both above and 'below the backbone, then connecting the slices on each lateral side of the backbone to sever the flesh therefrom, and then scraping the fiesh from the outer sides of the ribs of the fish.

10. A method of filleting fish consisting in,

incising a fish along its back from its tail and immediately adjacent the sides of its back-spikes to its backbone, and then both continuing such incisions throughout the length of the fish and thereafter cutting the fish along its belly to the backbone side in the planes of said incisions while guiding the fish by engagement with its backbone.

11. A method of filleting fish consisting in.

incising a fish along its backfrom its tail and immediately adiacent the sides oi its back spikes to its backbone, then both continuing such inci- 'sions throughout the length of the fish and thereafter cutting the fish along its belly to the backbone side in the planes of said incisions while guiding the fish by engagement with its backbone, and then uniting the incisions and cuts by severing the flesh from the lateral sides of the backbone. Y

12. A method of filleting fish consisting in, incising a fish along its back from its tail and immediately adjacent the sides of its back spikes to its backbone, then both continuing such incisions throughout the length or the fish and thereafter cutting the fish along its belly to the backbone side in the planes of said incisions while guiding the fish by engagement with its backbone, and then slicing the flesh entirely free of the backbone by continuing from the incisions around the backbone to the cuts and along the outer sides of the ribs to their extremities.

13. A fish filleting apparatus comprising, dual piercing means for, making incisions endwise to the backbone of a fish and laterally but contiguous and parallel to the vertical axis of said fish,

dual guide apparatus utilizing said incisions and and a plurality of knives disposed substantially in the planes of 'saidihcisions'tor fillet-slicing the fish along such planes fromend to end and to the backbone while said fish is positioned by said guide apparatus.

14. A fish filleting apparatuscomprising, dual piercing means for making incisions endwise-to the backbone of a fish and laterally but contiguous and parallel to the vertical axis of said fish. dual guide apparatus utilizing said incisions and engageable with the backbone of the fish ior guiding and holding in a common plane those bones normally disposed in the vertical axis of the fish, a plurality of knives disposed substantially in the planes of said incisions for fillet-slicing the fish along such planes'from end to end and to the backbone while said fish is positioned by said guide'apparatus, and severing means for joining the. fillet-slices made by said knives to disconnect thefiesh in fillets from the backbone of the fish. 15. A fish filleting apparatus comprising, dual piercing means for; making incisions endwise to the backbone of a fish and laterally but contiguous and parallel to the vertical axis of said fish, .dual guide apparatus utilizing said incisions and engageable with the backbone of the fish for guiding and holding in a common plane these bones normally disposed in the vertical axis of the'fish, a plurality of knives disposed substantially in the planes or said incisions tor filletslicing the fish alongsuch planes from end to end and to the backbone while said fish is positioned by said guide apparatus, severing means for Joining the fillet slices made by said knives to disconnect the flesh in fillets from the backbone of the fish, and aribbing mechanism continuing from said severing means and arranged to scrape the fillets irom the outer sides of the rite of the fish.

16. A fish filleting apparatus comprising, means for engaging and conveying .a fish tail first. a pair of incising blades disposed substantially longitudinally with the direction of travel 01' the fish and parallel with its backbone on either side of the vertical axis thereof, said blades being caused to enter and engage the backbone oi the fish as the fish is conveyed by said means, fish centering means continuing from said incising 'blades and arranged to enter the incisions made thereby to engage the backbone and retain the spikes oi the fish in a vertical plane, a plurality of slicing blades disposed substantially in the planes of said incisions above and below the backbone oi the fish and arranged to cut the fish to its backbone, and cutting means completing the action oi said slicing blades to sever the flesh from the backbone.

1'7. A fish filleting apparatus comprising, a fish centering and guiding apparatus including, knife elements for opening the fish to its backbone, centering means engageable with the backbone to hold the spikes oi the fish in a common plane, fin

engaging devices for deflecting such fins-of the fish as normally occupy its vertical plane into said common plane, and a plurality of blades for slicing said fish to its backbone parallel with and contiguous to said common plane.

18, A fish filleting apparatus comprising, a fish centering and guiding apparatus including, knife elements for opening the fish to its backbone, centering means engageable with the backbone to hold the spikes of'the fish in a common plane, fin engaging devices for deflecting such fins ot the fish as normally occupy its vertical plane into said common plane, a pluralityhot blades for slicing said fish to its backbone parallel with and contiguous to said common plane, and scraping means following the slices madeiby so'meoi said blades and positioned to scrape around the backbone' and along the ribs of the fish.

19. In a fish filleting machine, a fish centering and guiding apparatus includingknife elements for opening the fish to its backbone, centering means engageable with the backbone to hold the spikes of the fish in a common plane, and fin engaging devices for deflecting such fins of the fish as normally occupy its vertical plane into said common plane.

20. A fish filleting apparatus comprising, a fish centering and guiding apparatus including knife elements for opening the fish to its backbone, cente'ring means engageable with the backbone to hold the spikes of the fish in a common plane, fin engaging devices for deflecting such fins of the fish as normally occupy its vertical plane into said common plane, a first pair of rotatable blades for fillet slicing said fish along one side to its backbone parallel with and contiguous to said common plane, a pair of rotatable feeding disks arranged to follow the paths made by said firstrotatable blades and continuing from said centering means a second pair of rotatable blades opposite said feeding disks for fillet slicing said fish similarly to said first blades along the opposite side of the fish, conveyor means for receiving the fish from said feeding disks, and fixed scraping devices positioned to complete the fillet slices made by said-blades as the fish is-propelled by said conveyor means.

21. In a method of filleting fish consisting in making incisions in the back of the fish on oppo-- site lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone on its top side through such incisions, and then slicing the fish longitudinally and substantially in the planes of said incisions while guiding the fish by engagement with it's back bone on its top side.

22. In a methodof filleting fish consisting in making incisions in a fish on opposite lateral sides of and continguous to its vertical central plane and engaging the backbone through such incisions, slicing the flesh from the fish along.

both sides of the back and belly spikes, and scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish while guiding the fish by engagement with its backbone.

23. In a method of filleting fish consisting in making a pair of incisions in the back of the fish on opposite lateral sides of and contiguous to its vertical axis and engaging the backbone through such incisions, and then severing the fleshy sides of the fish from the backbone and spikes which extend therefrom by the planes of said incisions. a

24. In a method of filleting fish consisting of making incisions in a'fish near the base of its tail on opposite lateral sides of a centrallongitudinal plane and engaging the backbone through such incisions, cutting the fleshy sides of the fish from the, back and belly sides, and scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish while guiding the fish by engagement with its backbone.

25. In a method of filleting fish the steps of advancing a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish near the base of its tail on opposite sides of its backbone, and slicing the fish from end to end to separate the fiesh from the back spikes.

26. In a method of filleting fish the steps of advancing a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the its tail on opposite sides of its backbone, and slicing the fish slicing substantially along back of the fish near the base of its tail on opposite sides of the backbone, engaging the backbone of the fish through said incisions, guiding the fish along a defined path by reason of that engagement, and removing the fiesh from the back spikes on both sides thereof.

28. In a method of filleting fish the steps of advancing a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish near the base of its tail on opposite sides of the backbone, engaging the backbone of the fish through said incisions, guiding the fish along a defined path by reason of that engagement, and removing the flesh from the back and belly spikes on both sides thereof.

29. In a method of filleting fish the steps of advancing a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish near the baseof its tail on opposite sides of its backbone, slicing the fish from end to end to separate the flesh from the back, and belly spikes and scraping flesh from the ribs of the fish.

30. In a method of filleting fish the steps of advancing a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish near the base of its tail on opposite sides of the backbone, engaging the backbone of the fish through said incisions, guiding the fish along a defined path by reason of that engagement, removing the flesh from the back and belly spikes on both sides thereof, and scraping fiesh from the ribs of the fish.

31. In a method of filleting a fish the steps of advancing a fish tail first longitudinally of its length, slicing the flesh of the fish in substantially parallel planes from the back spikes along the back of the fish from the tail end to the head end, and guiding the back spikes and fins in a plane intermediate the .slicing planes.

32. In a method of filleting fish the steps of making incisions in a fish on opposite lateral sides of a central longitudinal plane and continguous thereto, and guiding the bony protuberances of the fish in a plane intermediate the planes of incision.

' 33. In a method of filleting fish the steps of making incisions in the back of a flsh near the base of its tail on opposite lateral sides of a central longitudinal plane and continguous thereof, guiding the back spikes and fins of the fish in a plane intermediate the planes of incision, and slicing the fleshy sides from the fish from the tail to the head end.

34. In a method of filleting fish the steps of making incisions in the back of a fish near the base of its tail on opposite lateral sides of a central longitudinal plane and contiguous thereof, guiding the back spikes and fins of the fish in a plane intermediate the. planes of incision,

"slicing the fleshy sides from the fish from the tail to the head end, slicing the flesh from the tail towards the head on the belly side substan-.

tially in the planes of said incisions, and guiding the belly spikes and fins in a plane intermediate the slicing planes.

35. In a method of filleting fish the steps oi making incisions in the back of a fish near the base of its tail on opposite lateral sides 01 a central longitudinal plane and contiguous thereof, guiding the back spikes and fins of the fish in a plane intermediate the planes of incision, slicing the fleshy sides from the fish from the tail to the head end, slicing the flesh from the tail towards the head on the belly side substantially in the planes of said incisions, guiding the belly spikes and fins in a plane intermediate the slicing planes, and scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish.

36. In a method of filleting fish the steps of pulling a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish in the region of the base of its tail, engaging the backbone of the fish through such incisions, guiding the fish in its longitudinal movement by the engagement of its backbone, cutting the fleshy sides from the fish along its back spikes, and guiding its back spikes and fins in a plane between the cutting planes.

3'7. In a method of filleting fish the steps of pulling a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish in the region of the base of its tail, engaging the backbone of :the fish through such incisions, guiding the fish in its longitudinal movement by the engagement of its backbone, cutting the fleshy sides from. the fish along its back spikes, guiding its back spikes and fins in a plane between'the cutting planes, cutting the flesh in the sides of the belly spikes of the fish, and cutting the flesh from the sides of the backbone.

38. In a method of filleting fish the steps of pulling a fish back down and tail first in the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish in the region of the base of its tail, engaging the backbone of the fish through such incisions, guiding the fish in its longitudinal movement by the engagement of its backbone, cutting the fleshy sides from the fish along its back spikes, guiding .its back spikes and fins in a plane between the cutting planes, cutting the flesh in the sides of the belly spikes of the fish, cutting the flesh from the sides of the backbone, and scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish.

39. In a method of filleting fish the steps of pulling a fish back down and tail first in'the direction of its length, making incisions in the back of the fish in the region of thebase of its tail, engaging the backbone of the fish through such incisions, guiding the fish in its longitudinal movement by the engagement of its backbone, cutting the fleshy sides from the fish along its back spikes,.guiding its back spikes and fins in a plane between the cutting planes, cutting the flesh in the sides of the belly spikes of the fish, cutting .the flesh from the sides of the backbone, scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish, and finally severing the flesh from the skeleton.

40. In a fish fllletingmachine the combination comprising means for moving a fish along a defined path, means for making incisions in the back of the fish at the base of its tail, means for engaging the backbone of the fish through said incisions, and means for slicing the flesh from the sides of the backbone.

41. In a-flsh filleting machine the combination comprising means for moving a fish along a defined path, means for makingincisions in the back of the fish at the base of its tail, means for engaging the backbone of the fish through said incisions, means for slicing the flesh from the sides of the backbone, belly slicing means,

and means ior advancing the fish through said belly slicing means. I

42. In a flsh filleting machine the combination comprising means for moving a fish along a defined path, means for making incisions in the back of the fish at the base of its tail, means for engaging the, backbone of the fish through said incisions, means for slicing the flesh from the sides of the backbone, belly slicing means, means for advancing the fish through said belly slicing means, and means for scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish.

43. In a filleting machine of the type described the combination comprising means for moving a fish in the direction of its length, means for slicing the fleshy sides fromthe fish at the back and belly spikes, and means for scraping the flesh from the ribs.

44. In a filleting machine of the type described the combination comprising means for moving a fish in the direction of its length, means for slicing the fleshy sides from the fish at the back and belly spikes, means for scraping the flesh from the ribs, and means engaging the backbone of the fish for guiding its movement during the slicing and scraping operations.

45. In a fish filleting machine the combination comprising means for feeding a fish in the direction of its length, means for cutting the fish along the back contiguous to and on opposite sides of a central longitudinal plane and for guiding the fish in its pathof movement by engagement with its backbone, and means for scraping the flesh from the ribs of the fish.

46. In a filleting machine of the type described thecombination comprising means for cutting the flesh from the back of a fish along parallel planes contiguous to and on opposite sides of its back spines, andmeans for guiding the back spikes and fins of the fish in a plane between said cutting planes.

47 In a filleting machine of the type described the combination comprising means for cutting the flesh from the back of a fish along parallel planes contiguous to and on opposite sides of its back spikes, means for guiding the back spikes and fins of the fish in a plane between said cutting planes, means for cutting the flesh from the belly of the fish along planes on opposite sides of the belly spikes, and means for guiding the belly spikes and fins in a plane between the belly cutting planes.

' 48. In a filleting machine of the type described the combination comprising means for cutting the flesh from the back of a fish along parallel planes contiguous to and on opposite sides of its back spikes, means for guiding the back spikes and fins of the fish in a plane between said cutting planes, means for cutting the flesh from the belly of the fish along planes on opposite sides of the belly spikes, in a plane between means for removing fish. g

49. In a filleting machine of the type describedthe combination comprising means for advancing the belly cutting planes, and the flesh from the ribs or the means for guiding the belly spikes and fins a fish tail first back down in the direction of its length, means for cutting the back of the fish near the base of the tail on opposite sides or the back spikes to the backbone, and means for engaging the backbone through said cuts to straighten and guide the backbone, said guidin means cooperating with said cutting means to disconnect the flesh at the back of the fish from the bony structure. 

